swelling

[ginoball]

Hi all,

Had FUT transplant done 6 days ago. Went to go put on a hat and realized my head is very swollen.

Is this normal? and when will my head go back to it's normal size?

My fitted hat, that usually fits perfect, wouldn't go over the top of my head.

The adjustable hat had to be adjusted 3 notches.

Thanks,
Gino

[doug546]

Swelling

I went through the same thing, it's pretty common. I was told the swelling would start on the third day and last only for a couple more, but it continued for over a week before it subsided. I look at pictures now I took not long before the grafts shed - which was about two eeks - and I see considerable swelling around the forehead, whcih I didn't even notice at the time. I also developed a black eye, which my HT doc said was unusual. The swelling should decrease after a couple more days. If it gets worse, you should notify your surgeon, but it's unlikely.

[ginoball]

Thanks, Doug. Speaking of the shedding, my donor area has shed pretty bad. I'm thinking of just going with a buzz cut (2 clippers), after I get my staples out. You think that donor area will look OK in another week? That'd be 2 weeks from the surgery.

[Spex]

All normal - Give it a few more days you'll be fine. The swelling will pass. Its saline dropping down the face.

Sleep upright and drink loads of water

[gillenator]

Gino,

The same thing happened to me, none of my fitted hats fit so I had to resort to the adjustable band.

I think in another 30 days or so, they will fit again just fine.